BEIJING, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Thursday's artificial rainfall brought 9-11.2 mm of water to Beijing, which is believed to help alleviate the drought and dusty weather in the Chinese capital.

A total of 163 pieces of cigarette-like sticks containing silver iodide were burnt and seven rocket shells were launched in 6 districts and counties Thursday afternoon, which resulted in the heaviest rainfall in Beijing this spring.

According to the Beijing Weather Modification Office, the rainfall will be very helpful to alleviate drought, add soil moisture and remove dust from the air for better air quality.

An official said the office had followed and observed the weather in Beijing through cloud atlas and radar and seized the best time to conduct the artificial rainfall operation.

They also had a plan to use a plane in the operation but dropped it because the weather conditions did not allow the flight, said the official. Enditem